| Theme |
Current Therapy of IBD |
| Title |
Nutritional Therapy for Crohnʼs Disease |
| Author |
Hisashi Shiga |
Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author |
Sho Takagi |
Takagi Clinic |
| Author |
Katsuya Endo |
Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author |
Seiichi Takahashi |
Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author |
Yoshitaka Kinouchi |
Center for the Advancement of Higher Education, Tohoku University |
| Author |
Tooru Shimosegawa |
Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Nutritional therapy [elemental diets (ED) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN)] has long been a primary therapy for active Crohnʼs disease because of its efficacy and safety, especially for children and Japanese adult patients. Over recent years, its use has gradually decreased due to the increased use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antibodies and immunosuppressants (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine). Although the efficacy of ED for maintenance therapy has been established, its use is also decreasing for the same reason. However, we must consider nutrition therapy in some cases. For example, TPN is appropriate for active Crohnʼs disease in patients with complications (fistula, abscess, etc). For better maintenance therapy in patients who fail to respond to TNF-α antibodies or immunosuppressants, concomitant use of ED may be effective. Further research will lead to proper use of nutritional therapy. |